Cairney refusing to ‘get carried away’

Fulham captain Tom Cairney was delighted to get back on the scoresheet for the first time in five months – but has insisted his team-mates won’t ‘get carried away’ despite their sensational start to 2018.

The Scottish midfielder stroked home Fulham’s third in a comprehensive win over fellow promotion contenders Sheffield United last night after a brace from Aleksandr Mitrovic, whom he described as ‘an animal,’ set Slavisa Jokanovic’s side on their way to a crucial three points. Cairney told FulhamFCTV that he was pleased with the hosts’ level of display after a tough test at Derby a few days earlier:

It was a very good performance, especially after the effort the boys put in on Saturday – defending at the end.

Cairney reiterated that Fulham were following Jokanovic’s mantra of concentrating on their next fixture, which sees the Whites travel to Preston North End, another side with their eyes on the play-offs.

We’re playing the teams that were above us before that defining period – it’s great form from the lads but it is always onto the next one. We don’t get carried away. We’ve got to remain grounded. You can tell that from the way that we’re playing. To us and the gaffer, it’s just three points. That’s how we’re treating it.

The 27 year-old was so pleased after scoring his second goal of an injury-ravaged season that he forgot about the medical advice to end his penchant for a knee slide and greeted his goal with a trademark celebration in front of the Johnny Haynes stand.

It was a great feeling. I scored quite a lot of goals last season. I’ve been in and out and had a frustrating time in periods, but I feel good. The more games I play the fitter I get and the more times I’ll get in shooting positions.